US vetoes UN Security Council resolution demanding full humanitarian access to Gaza
The US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on Wednesday demanding an 'immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire' in Gaza and full humanitarian access, as aid groups warn of famine-like conditions in the enclave after months of war.
The resolution received 14 votes in favour, with only the US opposing it.
The draft resolution, proposed by the 10 non-permanent council members, also urged the 'immediate lifting of all restrictions' on humanitarian aid into Gaza, ensuring safe and large-scale distribution throughout the besieged enclave.
Washington's veto blocked the measure, which required at least nine "yes" votes and no vetoes from the five permanent members – the US, Russia, China, Britain or France – to pass.
The veto is the first by Washington since US President Donald Trump took office in January. And it's the fifth draft resolution on the Gaza war vetoed by the US since the conflict started in October 2023.
The Security Council has struggled to act on the conflict, with previous ceasefire attempts also failing.
'US opposition to this resolution should come as no surprise,' acting US Charge D'Affaires Dorothy Shea told Council members. 'It is unacceptable for what it does say. it is unacceptable for what it does not say, and it is unacceptable for the manner in which it has been advanced."
She stressed that the United States has been clear that it would not support 'any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza."
"We cannot allow the Security Council to reward Hamas is intransigence,' she added.
The text, drafted by Slovenia alongside Algeria and Guyana, repeated the council's demand for the 'immediate, dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups".
'It was never our intention to provoke a veto,' Slovenia's ambassador to the UN, Samuel Zbogar, told council members.
'We were aware of different positions inside the council. This is why the draft resolution had only one focus, a humanitarian one."
Mr Zbogar called on the council to 'unite around this urgent demand for unimpeded humanitarian access and for food to be delivered to starving civilians'.
Starving civilians and inflicting immense suffering is inhumane, he argued, and against international law.
'No war objective can justify such action,' he said. '14 votes in favour however carries a strong message. Enough of suffering of civilians. Enough of food being used as a weapon. Enough is enough is enough.'
Israel has come under mounting international pressure to halt its war in Gaza, a conflict sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israeli soil.
Criticism has intensified over the chaotic aid distribution in Gaza, where Israel imposed a complete blockade for over two months before permitting a limited number of UN aid vehicles to enter in mid-May.
The amount of aid Israel has authorised to enter Gaza amounts to 'a teaspoon', when a flood of humanitarian assistance is needed, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said last month.
Meanwhile, the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) has faced backlash for allegedly violating established aid principles by coordinating relief efforts with a military party to the conflict.
The war, now in its 20th month, has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza authorities.
The Palestinian militant group Hamas is still holding 58 hostages taken during the October 7 attacks. About a third are believed to still be alive.
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